Boeing Awarded $18.3M for Small Diameter Bomb Modification, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,286,605 ($18.3M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-02-04

End Date: 2024-01-03

Contract Duration: 1,794 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SMALL DIAMETER BOMB I BRU-61/A MODIFICATION EFFORT - DUAL POWER

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63134

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.3 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: SMALL DIAMETER BOMB I BRU-61/A MODIFICATION EFFORT - DUAL POWER Key points: 1. Significant contract value for a specialized defense component. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and potential overpayment. 3. Long contract duration (1794 days) warrants close monitoring. 4. Focus on ammunition manufacturing highlights a critical defense sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $18.3 million for modifications to the BRU-61/A is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the modifications. The lack of competition suggests potential for inflated pricing compared to a competitive environment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to drive down prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition in this sole-source award could lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for the modifications.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the lack of competitive bidding. The modification of essential munitions impacts national defense capabilities. Oversight is crucial to ensure the modifications are necessary and cost-effective.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Long contract duration

Positive Signals

  • Essential defense procurement
  • Firm fixed price contract

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense sector, specifically ammunition manufacturing. Spending in this area is critical for national security, but often involves complex, specialized components where competition can be challenging.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses could have competed for this modification work.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), suggesting a level of oversight. However, the sole-source nature necessitates robust monitoring to ensure fair pricing and effective execution.

Related Government Programs

  • Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition may lead to higher costs.
  • Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award.
  • Limited transparency on modification details.
  • Long contract duration increases risk of cost overruns or scope creep.

Tags

ammunition-except-small-arms-manufacturi, department-of-defense, mo, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.3 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. SMALL DIAMETER BOMB I BRU-61/A MODIFICATION EFFORT - DUAL POWER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-02-04. End: 2024-01-03.

What specific modifications are being made to the BRU-61/A, and what is the justification for these changes?

The specific modifications are not detailed in the provided data. Understanding the technical scope and necessity of these changes is crucial for assessing their value. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if the $18.3 million expenditure is justified or if it represents an overpayment for minor upgrades.

What efforts were made to explore competitive options before awarding this contract as sole-source?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. This implies no competitive bidding process was undertaken. Agencies are typically required to justify sole-source awards, often citing unique capabilities or urgent needs. Further investigation into the justification for bypassing competition is warranted.

How does the unit cost of the BRU-61/A modification compare to similar munitions or previous modifications, if available?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is not possible with the provided data. The total award is $18.3 million over 1794 days. Without knowing the number of units modified or the specific nature of the modifications, benchmarking against similar contracts or historical data is challenging, especially given the sole-source nature.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther Fabricated Metal Product ManufacturingAmmunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: WEAPONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6200 JS MCDONNELL BLVD, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63134

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,286,605

Exercised Options: $18,286,605

Current Obligation: $18,286,605

Actual Outlays: $779,000

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $15,447,467

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA867214D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2019-02-04

Current End Date: 2024-01-03

Potential End Date: 2024-01-03 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-09-22

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